The Alpha's Oath.

ne pillars carved with snarling wolves and moon phases. Lyra followed Draven and Elder Corvin Nightshade into a chamber

in the torchlight. Corvin gestured for them to sit. Draven lowered himself into a chair with a grimace -

light, and his lined face was grave. "What happened tonight cannot be ignored. The Crimson Fang attacked in greater numb

"Why? What did my f

on to Luna herself. In the old days, your ancestors could call on moonfire to heal or destroy, to shield allies or

oss the battlefield. The memory felt unreal. She rubbed her

heir who will awaken the Moon's Wrath. A child of the blood

be?" Lyra asked quietly, m

s, its edges frayed with age. He unrolled it with reverence, revea

n's rise shall the l

blade, her h

actured or bre

y which path y

d power. Never asked for destiny. But now it felt like the

her hand. His palm was warm, calloused, g

Magnus won't rest until you're dead or captured. And if the other pac

teach me. I need to learn how to control this - the power, th

something fierce and prou

s Lyra stepped onto the packed earth. Warriors gathered in a loose c

werful frame. His face was set, but his eyes softened when they met hers

ing the sting of scratches still

y. "Your senses are heightened now. Cl

the world expanded: boots shifting in the dirt, the flutter of a crow's wings high abo

eyes. "I hear

er Draven's lips. "Good.

ches. The coppery tang of old blood. The warm musk of Draven, spiced with pi

shakily. "It

said quietly, stepping closer. "But

ness improved with each exercise. But every success came with moments of frustration: a slip of concentra

ading her to a fountain at the edge of the grounds. She splashed c

hard," she said,

use the first time you face Magnus again, he won't go easy on y

caught. "

aw and unguarded. "Yes," he

the color of iron. Thunder rumbled low in the distance. Warriors

ra had never seen: a tall, lanky man with sandy ha

is Finn Ashwood. He arriv

art leapt

ou're alive. They said you'd gone mad. That you killed people."

welling. "It's true. I'm...

our guardian, Old Maribel - she tried to stop them, but th

d her, comforted her nightmares, taught her the n

d solid. She leaned into him, shaking. His warmth seepe

at her window, hair whipping around her face, watching the rain lash the fortress wal

as Draven stepped inside. He crossed the room s

," he said

the rain's roar. "I feel l

t lost me,"

faintly in the lightning's flash. The moment stretched, electric. His hand rose

r to her core, chasing away the cold emptiness. His hands buried in her hai

ng hard. His forehead rested against hers. "S

re cloaked in silver light, standing in the ruins of a battl

trid whispered. "But the choice is still

d in the corner of her room. She tensed - but it was Draven, asleep in a ch

gile and terrifying un

odfang paced before his throne of black stone. Seraphi

nus snarled. "If she masters

en we won't let her. Let her think she's safe in Blackmoor's arms. We'

grace. "Give me time, Alpha. I'll fin

curled. "Do

dawn's pale light. But its shadow linger